Vibrating device for processing a floor layer

ABSTRACT

A vibrating device for processing a floor layer. The device includes a vibrating board, a vibrating mechanism and a handle. The handle is attached to the vibration board with at least one clamping coupling. The clamping coupling includes at least two connecting elements, each having conical parts wherein one of the conical parts is adapted to fit within another of the conical parts. The clamping coupling further includes a tensioning device that is arranged to axially tighten the conical parts against each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a vibrating device for processing a floorlayer, more particularly a so-called vibrating beam which comprises avibrating unit with a vibrating board and a vibrating mechanismcooperating with this vibrating board, and a handle which is attached tothe vibrating unit.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Such vibrating devices are applied for spreading and smoothening ofhardenable materials when forming a floor layer, more particularlymaterials such as concrete and similar.

The invention aims at a vibrating device of the above-mentioned typewhereby the handle can be easily adjusted under a random inclination andthereby be adapted to the user. Hereby, the invention also aims at acoupling between the handle and the other components which, on one hand,is rapidly adjustable but, on the other hand, is very resistive againstvibrations, in such a manner that the handle, once that it is adjustedin the desired position, will not become loose during the working of thevibrating device.

To this aim, the handle is attached to the vibrating unit by means of atleast one clamping coupling which, in uncoupled position, allows toadjust the inclination of the handle, whereby this clamping couplingconsists of, on one hand, at least two connecting elements with conicalparts fitting into each other, which are connected to the handle and tothe vibrating unit, respectively, and, on the other hand, of tensioningmeans with which the aforementioned elements can be tensioned againsteach other axially with their conical parts.

The invention has as an additional object to provide a vibrating deviceof the aforementioned type whereby the handle forms as little anobstruction as possible and requires little additional space duringtransport or storage of the vibrating device.

According to the invention, this aim is achieved in that the handlecomprises two sticks which each are connected to the vibrating unit bymeans of a clamping coupling, as described heretofore, whereby theclamping coupling, in uncoupled position, allows to pivot the stick, atleast between a first position in which it is directed inclined upwardaway from the vibrating unit when the vibrating board rests upon thefloor layer to be processed, and a second position in which it extendssideward.

“Upward” has to be regarded in respect to the vibrating device as it isplaced upon the floor layer to be processed, whereas “sideward” also hasto be regarded in respect to the vibrating unit. Thus, inclined upwardis in the direction of the operator who moves the vibrating unit along,for example, pulls it along while walking backward. The vibrating boardextends with its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the handle and,thus, is directed with its both extremities sidewards.

The second position preferably is the position in which the stick issituated up to practically upon or alongside the vibrating board.

Preferably, the hinge axes of both hinge couplings are directed inclinedupon the longitudinal direction of the vibrating board. The stick, whichis attached with a hinge coupling, itself preferably is also directedinclined in respect to the hinge axis of this hinge coupling.

Thereby, the hinge axes may be directed horizontal, or even inclined, inrespect to the horizontal plane, this is the plane of the underside ofthe vibrating board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

With the intention of better showing the characteristics according tothe invention, hereafter, as an example without any limitativecharacter, two preferred forms of embodiment are described, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1, in perspective, schematically represents a vibrating deviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 represents the part which is indicated by arrow F2 in FIG. 1, inexploded view;

FIG. 3 represents a cross-section according to line III—III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 represents a cross-section according to line IV—IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 represents a view in perspective, analogous to that from FIG. 1,but for another form of embodiment;

FIG. 6 represents a cross-section according to line VI—VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 represents a view according to F7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 represents a cross-section according to line VIII—VIII in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As represented in the FIGS. 1 to 4, the vibrating device of theinvention substantially consists of a vibrating unit 1 with a vibratingboard 2 and a vibrating mechanism 3 cooperating with the vibrating board2, and a handle 4 attached to this vibrating unit 1.

Hereby, the vibrating mechanism 3 in a known manner consists of ahousing 5 in which, by means of two bearings 6, a body 7 withdisbalance, for example, a roll which is flattened on one side, isbeared, and a motor 8 for driving this body 7.

The handle 4 substantially consists of a stick 9 which is coupled at itslower extremity 10 to the vibrating unit 1, in the represented example,to the housing 5 of the vibrating mechanism 3, and which is providedwith a handhold 12 at its upper extremity 11.

The particularity of the invention consists in that the handle 4 isattached at the housing 5 by means of a clamping coupling 13 which, inuncoupled position, allows to regulate the angle of the handle 4,whereby this clamping coupling 13 consists of, on one hand, at least twoconnecting elements 14-15 with conical parts 16-17 fitting into eachother which are connected to the handle 4 and to the housing 5,respectively, and, on the other hand, of tensioning means 18 which allowto tension the aforementioned elements 14-15 with their conical parts16-17 axially against each other.

Apart from the already mentioned conical part 16, the element 14 whichis connected to the handle 4 consists of a seat 19 for the stick 9. Theconical part 16 extends perpendicular to the seat 19 and consists of apart with an externally conical surface 20.

The element 15 is externally cylindrical and is provided with aninternally conical surface 21. In the represented example, this element15 is attached, for example, welded, upon a plate 22 which is fixed, bythe intermediary of damping elements 23 and screws, on the housing 5 ofthe vibrating mechanism 3.

The plate 22 is inclined under an angle A which, in the representedexample, is approximately 15° in respect to the vertical or theperpendicular to the underside of the vibrating board 2, as representedin FIG. 3.

In this form of embodiment, the geometrical hinge axis 24 of the twocooperating elements 14 and 15 is parallel to the longitudinal directionof the vibrating board 2.

A handle 25 may be attached at the plate 22 for lifting and carrying thevibrating device.

The aforementioned tensioning means 18 substantially consist of screwmeans with a turning knob 26 for manual tensioning, looseningrespectively, of the handle 4. Hereby, the turning knob 26 can bescrewed in axially in respect to one of the aforementioned elements, inthis case, the element 14, in such a manner that, with its interior side27, it can exert a pressure onto the other element 15.

In the example represented in the FIGS. 1 to 4, the tensioning means 18are also provided with an elastically compressible element cooperatingwith the screw means, in this case, a saucer spring 28 provided underthe turning knob 26, in such a manner that, by tightening it, thetension force in the clamping coupling 13 can be gradually increased.

In this manner, also a constant pressing-on force is guaranteed whichprevents the coming loose of the conical parts 16-17 due to vibration.Hereby, it is noted that the vibration force generated by the body 7propagates until into the clamping coupling, with the consequence thatthe axial clamping of the conical parts 16-17 is enhanced, this becausethe saucer spring 28 vibrates the conical parts 16-17 by means of it sconstant pressing-on force more stable into each other.

It is noted that a self-loosening conical coupling can be applied at theparts 16-17. In this manner, it is achieved that, by applying the saucerspring 28 in the clamped position, a more stable vibrating into eachother is obtained, whereas in loosened position, the conical parts 16-17may easily be taken apart.

As represented in FIG. 4, a classical washer 29 can also be providedbetween the turning knob 26 and the saucer spring 28, or, according to avariant, a ring milled at its surface may be provided.

The working of the clamping coupling 13 can easily be deduced from thefigures. By unscrewing the turning knob 26, the clamping coupling 13 isuncoupled or, in other words, the axial tension force between theconical parts 16 and 17 is taken away, as a result of which the handle 4can be turned freely.

By holding the handle 4 at a desired angle and subsequently screwing theturning knob 26 tight, the conical parts 16-17 are tensioned axially, asa result of which a clamping is created. By tensioning the turning knob26 in a sufficient manner, it is obtained that the handle 4 remains inthe adjusted angle.

Due to the fact that use is made of conical parts 16-17 with a circularcross-section, the handle 4 may be adjusted at any desired angle.

Due to the presence of the saucer spring 28, the tension force can becontinuously regulated. This saucer spring 28, or any other elasticelement, also offers the advantage that the coupling during the use ofthe vibrating device is especially resistive against vibrations, inother words, does not become loose due to vibrations, and that, asaforementioned, the conical parts 16-17 even are vibrated more stableinto each other.

It is noted that the handle 4 does not necessarily have to be coupled tothe housing 5, but according to a variant, the clamping coupling 13 mayalso be provided directly between, for example, the vibrating board 2and the handle 4.

It is also possible to apply several clamping couplings 13, for example,when the handle should be fork-shaped and is coupled to the vibratingboard 2 at two places situated apart from each other, or when, asrepresented in the FIGS. 5 to 8, the handle 4 is double and, thus,comprises two sticks 9.

Both sticks 9 are attached at the vibrating unit 1 by means of aclamping coupling 13, but this clamping coupling 13 differs from theclamping coupling 13 described heretofore in that the two elements 14and 15 with the conical parts 16 and 17 are interchanged or, in otherwords, in that the element 14 with the part 16 with an externallyconical surface 20 now is attached to the housing 5, whereas the element15 with the part 17 with an internally conical surface 21 is connectedto a stick 9.

As the sticks 9 and, thus, also the clamping couplings 13 are situatedat a relatively large distance to each other, the elements 14furthermore cannot be fixed directly on the plate 2, but are connectedto this plate 22 by the intermediary of a profile strip 30 screwedthereupon.

The plate 22 is inclined, as in the form of embodiment of the FIGS. 1 to4, with an angle A in respect to the perpendicular on the underside ofthe vibrating board 2.

The hinge axis 24 of the two cooperating elements 14 and 15 of theclamping coupling 13 on each extremity of the profile strip 30 isinclined with the same angle A in respect to the plane of the undersideof the vibrating board 2, with which plane the vibrating board 2 duringuse rests upon the floor layer to be processed. Furthermore, these hingeaxes 25 are not directed parallel to the longitudinal direction of thevibrating board 2, such as in the form of embodiment according to FIGS.1 to 4, but form an angle B therewith, such as represented in FIG. 7.More particularly do the hinge axes 24 of the clamping couplings 13 formsuch angles with this longitudinal direction and, thus, with thelongitudinal direction of the profile strip 30, that they diverge fromeach other in the direction towards the turning knobs 26. In therepresented example, these angles are 45°.

Each of the sticks 9 is fixed, for example, welded, with its lowermostextremity directly to an element 15 but is inclined backward, thus, inthe direction of the turning knob 26 in respect to the aforementionedgeometrical axis of the cooperating elements 15 and 16. In therepresented example, each stick 9 forms an angle C of approximately 60°with the aforementioned geometrical axis, as represented in FIG. 8.

In any case, the aforementioned angles A, B, and C are such that, whenthe two sticks 9 of the double handle 4 are pivoted downward, asrepresented in FIG. 7, they are directed sidewards with their freeextremity practically in the prolongation of the vibrating board 2,which offers the additional advantage that the device then takes uplittle space for storage or transport.

Each stick 9 of the handle 4 also comprises a separate handlebar 12which in this form of embodiment is adjustable in height and direction.

To this aim, each handlebar 12 comprises at one extremity a clip 31which can be clamped around the stick 9 by means of a bolt 32 fixedthrough the arms of the clip 31 with a knurled head and a nut 33 screwedupon this bolt 32.

In order to change the position of the double handle 4 or tilt itdownward into the position represented in dashed line in FIG. 5, itsuffices to loosen the turning knob 26 of each of both clampingcouplings 13 and tighten it again after obtaining the new position.

During the use of the vibrating device, whereby the vibrating board 2 isplaced upon the floor layer to be processed, the two sticks 9 aredirected inclined upward, as represented in FIG. 5 in full line.

Hereby, the two sticks 9 can be placed into a position whereby they aredirected practically parallel to each other. In respect to thehorizontal plane, and more particularly the floor layer upon which thevibrating board 2 rests, these sticks 9 then are directed inclinedupward and towards the operator of the vibrating device, with an anglewhich is the sum of the angles A and C, in the represented exampleapproximately 75°.

In consideration of transportation, each of the sticks 9, afterunscrewing the corresponding turning knob 26, can be pivoted outwardaround the hinge axis 24 downward.

Due to the fact that this hinge axis 24 is directed inclined in respectto the longitudinal direction of the vibrating board 2 under theaforementioned angle B and the stick 9 itself, under the aforementionedangle C, is directed inclined in respect to this hinge axis 24 whereasthe hinge axis 24 forms an angle with the horizontal plane or theunderside of the vibrating board 2 which is equal to the aforementionedangle A, this stick 9 moves not only downward, but also somewhat towardsthe vibrating board 2.

When the stick 9 is pivoted horizontally, it can extend sidewardsparallel to the vibrating board 2. As the clamping coupling 13, however,is situated at a distance from the theoretical vertical plane throughthe center of the underside of the vibrating board 2 which rests upon analmost horizontal plane, namely, the floor layer to be processed, thisstick 9 takes up even less space when it extends up to above thevibrating board 2, as in the represented example.

Due to the fact that the hinge coupling 13 is also situated at adistance above the vibrating board 2, the stick 9 then can also bepivoted downward beyond the horizontal position.

The two sticks 9 can be pivoted downward until they are directedsidewards, more or less in the longitudinal direction of the vibratingboard 2, and, thus, extend alongside or preferably up to above thisvibrating board 2, as a result of which the loss of space by the handle4 is minimized and this handle 4 almost is not obstructive duringtransport.

The clamping couplings 13 may comprise positioning means, for example,fingers provided upon the elements 14 and 15 which come into mutualcontact when the pertaining stick 9 has reached the desired positionwhen being tilted upward.

It is obvious that the aforementioned elements 14-15 with a conical partcan be manufactured either in one piece or not with the stick 9, thevibrating unit 1, respectively.

The present invention is in no way limited to the forms of embodimentdescribed by way of example and represented in the figures, on thecontrary may such vibrating device be realized in various forms anddimensions without leaving the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vibrating device for processing a floor layercomprising: a vibrating unit including a vibrating board and a vibratingmechanism cooperating with the vibrating board; a handle attached to thevibrating unit; and at least one clamping coupling connecting saidhandle to said vibrating unit, wherein in an uncoupled position saidclamping coupling permits adjustment of the inclination of the handle,said clamping coupling including at least two connecting elements eachhaving a conical part wherein one of said conical parts is adapted tofit within another of said conical parts to connect the handle and thevibrating unit, said clamping coupling further including a tensioningdevice arranged to axially tighten said conical parts against eachother.
 2. The vibrating device according to claim 1, wherein thetensioning device comprises a screw.
 3. The vibrating device accordingto claim 2, wherein the screw includes a turning knob.
 4. The vibratingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning device comprises atleast one elastically compressible element.
 5. The vibrating deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the elastically compressible element is asaucer spring.
 6. The vibrating device according to claim 3 wherein theturning knob is arranged in axial relationship with said connectingelements, said at least one elastically compressible element disposedbetween the turning knob and one of said connecting elements.
 7. Thevibrating device according to claim 3 wherein a damping element ispositioned between said vibrating unit and a first connecting element.8. The vibrating device according to claim 1 wherein the handlecomprises a stick, said clamping coupling positioned at one end of saidstick.
 9. The vibrating device according to claim 2 wherein anotherconnecting element connects to the handle and further comprises a seatconnecting to said stick, said conical part of said another connectingelement forming an externally conical surface extending perpendicular tosaid seat, said first connecting element having a body forming aninternally conical surface.
 10. The vibrating device according to claim3 wherein said handle comprises two sticks each connected to saidvibrating unit by said at least one clamping coupling, wherein anuncoupled position said clamping coupling is adapted to permit saidstick to pivot between at least a first position wherein said stickextends at an incline with respect to the longitudinal axis of thevibrating board resting upon a floor layer, and a second positionwherein said stick extends sidewards, upon or alongside the vibratingboard.
 11. The vibrating device according to claim 10 wherein eachclamping coupling includes a hinge axis directed inclined with respectto the longitudinal direction of the vibrating board.
 12. The vibratingdevice according to claim 11 wherein said stick is attached to aclamping coupling connected to said vibration device, said stick adaptedto be positioned at an incline with respect to said hinge axis.
 13. Thevibrating device according to claim 12 wherein said vibrating board hasan underside, and wherein said hinge axis extends at an incline withrespect to a plane including the underside of the vibrating board.